"Hanzo's offering us Northwest Mountain?" Konan was taken aback. Before the Second Great Ninja War, Northwest Mountain had been one of Amega
"Hanzo's offering us Northwest Mountain?" Konan was taken aback.
Before the Second Great Ninja War, Northwest Mountain had been one of Amegakure's most important strongholds.
It had fallen into disrepair after becoming a major battleground, but had since recovered somewhat, becoming a significant population center.
Akatsuki's inability to grow had always been hampered by land constraints.
They lacked food security and economic resources, relying solely on meager mission earnings.
Hanzo had secretly orchestrated this.
Now, not only was he ignoring Akatsuki's involvement in the Two-Tails' capture, but he was offering them Northwest Mountain as a base. This was completely unexpected.
"This is from Hanzo's personal ANBU captain. He demands we leave immediately, Konan-sama…" Tetsu paused, glancing at Kai. He felt a mixture of curiosity and awe towards the infamous Blood-Red Asura.
Kai's recent exploits, including capturing multiple tailed beasts, were legendary.
"What's Nagato and Yahiko's decision?" Konan also glanced at Kai. This was a high-level Akatsuki secret, inappropriate for this setting, but Konan felt a strange compulsion to discuss it in front of Kai, somehow minimizing the risk.
"Well…" Tetsu hesitated, but seeing Konan's determination, he pressed on.
"Nagato-sama and Yahiko-sama seem very interested. They've met with Hanzo's envoy and are still in discussions!"
"What? Have they gone mad?" Konan's face paled. "Hanzo betrayed us recently. If Uchiha Kai hadn't intervened, Akatsuki would have been destroyed. Is this a trap?"
Tetsu was speechless at Konan's distress.
Kai patted Konan's shoulder, smiling. "You've gotten a bit… inflated."
"Time's short. Let's go back and see."
"Inflated?" Konan stared, then understood. She glared at Kai. "Can you come with me? What if…"
"What if they mess things up and need me to clean up their mess?" Kai sighed, rubbing his nose.
Konan grabbed his arm. "If you help, I won't hold you accountable for using Akatsuki's name to capture Matatabi in Kumogakure…"
Tetsu and the other lower-ranking members were stunned. They'd heard rumors, but hadn't dared to believe that this youth had infiltrated Kumogakure, one of the Five Great Nations and renowned for its military strength, stolen the Two-Tails, and escaped unscathed.
It was unbelievable! His audacity surpassed even Hanzo's legendary exploits. Tetsu couldn't help but stare at Kai.
"Fine, it seems I owe a lot of relationship debts in this life. A beautiful woman's wrath is a terrible thing," Kai said, casually flicking Konan's forehead in front of everyone.
"What are you saying?! Relationship debts…!" Konan covered her forehead, glaring at Kai.
To outsiders, this looked like playful banter, a public display of affection.
Many glanced at Hatosuke, whose face was now a mask of furious crimson, his temples throbbing.
"Alright, you have something to tell me? Let's go see this new Akatsuki base," Kai said, turning to Kosuke Maruboshi and Might Dai.
Kai had a good idea of their purpose, but he wouldn't turn them away. He needed Might Dai's expertise in taijutsu, the Eight Gates, to train Kimimaro.
"Captain Maruboshi…" Might Dai looked to Kosuke Maruboshi.
His understanding of Kai was based on rumors—ruthless, merciless, etc. He'd prepared for the worst, a potential battle with Kai, as instructed by the Third Hokage.
With the Eight Gates, even as a Genin, he could reach Jonin or even Kage-level strength, though perhaps not Might Guy's level.
Might Guy had reached elite Jonin level with taijutsu alone; Might Dai, being a Genin, would have a gap in physical conditioning.
But Kai's recognition of Might Guy's efforts and future achievements, regardless of whether it was a mere compliment, was significant.
"Alright, let's go. But we need to change clothes. As Konoha ninjas, we can't interfere in another nation's affairs; it could cause international incidents," Kosuke Maruboshi agreed.
Might Dai's face lit up. He flashed his white teeth, gave a thumbs-up, and produced a green jumpsuit.
"For disguise, use this jumpsuit…"
"Hey, wait for me! My Youthful Vitality Battle Suit has excellent lines…"
"And superb breathability and absorbency!"
"Don't you want it?"
Might Dai hurried after them.
Akatsuki's base, established in a mountain valley, was clearly in disrepair after the recent attack.
Damaged tents and listless, gaunt survivors painted a grim picture.
Konan and her team landed, masked as ANBU, but without village markings, only a simple money symbol on their foreheads.
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